MIXERS
Because mixers events are managed by the owner/business, there are no set rules. The events range from very simple, low cost events to extravagant productions utilizing the services of professional event planners.
What is a Mixer
Mixers can be any kind of event, ranging from a potluck dinner to a gathering at the local pub. The point of a mixer is to enjoy the company of others who like the same things as you do or who come from the same background as you. Social-networking websites allow you to gather people with whom you have things in common and invite them to various events. Civic, community and religious organizations also hold social mixers for opportunities such as networking, fundraising and dating.
POST YOUR MIXER EVENT FOR FREE (Members Only)
With almost 18,000 views last year, our community calendar is used by businesses, residents and visitors alike! Post your Mixer Event on the Chamber website calendar! Click Here
How the Chamber Can Help You:
- Post your Mixer Event on the Chamber website calendar! Click Here
- Helping Your Employees Be SUCCESSFUL at Networking Functions
- How to Promote Your Next Event for Free
- Networking Tips and How to Measure a Networking Groups Effectiveness
- Business Owner Tips for Sponsoring or Planning Events with Alcohol (below)
What Business Owners and Event Planners Need to Know about Mixers
- Because mixers events are managed by the owner/business, there are no set rules. The events range from very simple, low events to extravagant productions utilizing the services of professional event planners.
- The Chamber can not plan your mixer event, you can promote your event on our calendar of events page.
- The Chamber does not conduct, co-host or sponsor these type of events for mission fit, and risk management reasons.
- Understanding local laws, have adequate insurance protection, and take steps to minimize risk are key considerations when planning and producing events, especially those at which alcoholic beverages will be served.
- Know the Downside of Mixer Networking Events
The Chamber's Community Calendar is Viewed Almost 18,000 Last Year. Be sure to post all your events on the Chamber's Community Calendar! It is a great way to help spread the word about your event!
Remember Networking ... is anytime, anywhere
Effective networking can happen at any time of the day, and in some cases, you don’t even have to leave your house. My definition of networking is “any activity that increases the value of your network and/or the value you contribute to it”. Proper networking is about building new relationships and deepening your existing ones. You don’t have to follow traditional advice, or even go to events, to successfully build and maintain a valuable network. Focusing on activities where you have more control over the various inputs (who, what, where, etc.) will almost always yield a better – and more predictable – return on investment.
Business Owner Tips for Sponsoring or Planning Events with Alcohol:
Alcohol can be a festive addition to a company event or an event you are sponsoring or co-hosting. As in your workplace, safety is your top concern.
Questions to Consider:
Safeguards To Consider:
Alcohol can be a festive addition to a company event or an event you are sponsoring or co-hosting. As in your workplace, safety is your top concern.
Questions to Consider:
- Does hosting or sponsoring events with alcohol, enhance your company image/brand, values or public perception? For example, you may want to nix the alcohol, if you market to families, children or if you are a governmental entity.
- Do you Have Insurance? Look at your company insurances to determine whether you have the appropriate coverage to protect your business. Consider your general liability limits or consider host liquor liability. This protects you against alcohol-related accidents/deaths, event injuries, lawsuits, etc.).
- Are You Assuming Too Much Risk? Protect your company. If you are sponsoring or co-hosting an event, ask the third party sponsor to give you an Insurance Certificate that demonstrates the existence and terms of a General Liability Insurance Policy. The certificate should include the event name & date, amount of coverage and the name of your business listed as an additional insured. One million dollars should be the minimum coverage amount.
Safeguards To Consider:
- Always offer a variety of interesting, non-alcoholic beverages, to remove the emphasis from alcohol. And never make drinking, or eating, for that matter, the focus of any event.
- Consider serving just beer and wine, and no liquor. Avoid serving drinks such as fruit punch that limit an employee’s ability to assess how much alcohol they are drinking.
- Put Restrictions on How Much Is Alcohol is available
- Limit the number of drinks the company provides by using drink tickets or another informal method of tracking the amount of alcohol served. If you want to limit alcohol consumption, consider stamping each person's hand in exchange for each drink; you will want to limit the number of stamps a person can receive.
- Limit the number of hours that the bar is open. Close the bar well before the end of the event.
- Use trained bartenders to serve alcohol; never allow your employees to serve. Never provide a help-yourself beverage bar that includes alcohol.
- Make sure your bartenders are clear that they are not to serve alcohol to any person who appears to be inebriated. Bartenders must card these employees just as if they were attempting to order alcohol in a local tavern.
- Pay for the event, the food, non-alcoholic drinks, and entertainment, but provide a cash bar. When guests must purchase their own drinks, they drink less.
- Have a policy of only sponsoring/planning Alcohol-Free Events.
- Recruit your managers or make sure the sponsoring organization has a plan or policy to deal with those who may be overindulging. Offer rides home, call a cab, or make certain that a designated non-drinking driver takes the wheel.
- Pay for cabs to sit outside your event in case an employee is advised or decides that he or she cannot drive safely. Or schedule the event at a location that offers easy access to public transportation.
- Have a Code of Conduct that make it clear that employees can expect punishment for over-imbibing or poor interpersonal behavior up to and including employment termination.
Networking ... is now anytime, anywhere
Why Mixers are Dying Out
Effective networking can happen at any time of the day, and in most cases, you don’t even have to leave your business. Proper networking is about building new relationships and deepening your existing ones. You don’t have to follow traditional advice, or even go to events, to successfully build and maintain a valuable network. Click here for more details.
Why Mixers are Dying Out
Effective networking can happen at any time of the day, and in most cases, you don’t even have to leave your business. Proper networking is about building new relationships and deepening your existing ones. You don’t have to follow traditional advice, or even go to events, to successfully build and maintain a valuable network. Click here for more details.
Here are five ways to navigate the increasingly complex networking space:
Source: Forbes Magazine
- Make a Lasting Impression. First impressions are important, but in today’s age, professionals often make their first impression virtually, through a LinkedIn profile or Facebook page, for example.
- Get Creative. When networking, don’t be afraid to attend events or participate in workgroups or community meetings that seem out of your comfort zone. When participants were out of their comfort zone and in a new type of situation, it helped them break down barriers and really mingle.
- Network Strategically. Rather than leave networking up to fate, it pays to be strategic. Seek out relationship-building opportunities by industry or sector. Since millennials, in particular, have had less opportunities for either face-to-face or verbal communication because text messaging and posting online has become much more commonplace than voice calling.
- Find Networking Opportunity in Your Passions. It’s also helpful to find an opportunity to network while pursing your personal interests—a trend that’s increasingly popular among millennials today who tend to blend work and play. For example, network at the gym, at your country club or the spa you often visit.
- Seek the Referral Source, Not the Client. Rather than focusing on landing the next big client, focus on finding a referral source. A phrase that starts with, “if you think of anyone who can use my services… is less invasive and kills two birds with one stone. By focusing on building a circle of influence and support, your efforts will go much farther.
